Bad Credit Personal Loans in Ohio

If you’re thinking about getting a personal loan in Ohio with bad credit, there are some things that may be helpful to know. The good news is that securing loans (even with bad credit) has become more attainable in recent years. Below, we’ll talk about some information related to bad credit loan options in Ohio:

  • What kind of loans are available in Ohio?
  • What products or services can loans for bad credit be used for?
  • How can I apply for a bad credit loan in Ohio?

Read on to understand how bad credit personal loan options* work in the great state of Ohio!

 

**Please Note: Payment solutions vary based on the merchant and will be indicated at the beginning of the application process. Be sure to confirm that the merchant you select offers the lease, loan, or alternative payment solution you intend to apply for.

Bad Credit Personal Loan Options in Ohio

Different states in the U.S. have different laws and regulations regarding financial products such as loans, which affect where you might be able to get loans and how much you’re able to borrow. Such matters fall under the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) – a government agency that enforces federal consumer financial laws.

 

Consumers may use unsecured installment loans to fund debt consolidation, home repairs, and medical expenses. Ohio lenders provide loans in the following categories:

  • Bad Credit Personal Loans in Ohio
  • Bad Credit Auto Loans in Ohio
  • Bad Credit Home Loans in Ohio
  • Bad Credit Payday Loans in Ohio

Understanding Ohio Loan Types for Bad Credit

In Ohio, bad credit loans come in many forms. Personal loans are sometimes used to pay for larger expenses, while credit cards and lines of credit may be used to help with expenses until the next paycheck arrives.

The most common types of loans for people with bad credit in Ohio are:

Bad Credit Personal Loans

There are two types of bad credit personal loans: secured and unsecured. A secured loan means that you use a valuable item as collateral, such as your car or home, to secure the loan.

 

Unsecured bad credit loans may have higher interest rates than secured bad credit loans.

Bad Credit Auto Loans

Car title loans are illegal in the state of Ohio. However, you may still qualify for a traditional auto loan with poor credit. Before approving a car loan, lenders will evaluate your income, debt, and other financial obligations.

Bad Credit Home Loans

Getting a home loan with a poor credit score might be difficult. Fortunately, some lenders are willing to provide home financing to those with less-than-perfect credit.

 

If you have bad credit and are interested in a home, an FHA loan may be an option. Another option may be a VA loan, but you must meet several qualifications, such as having a veteran or active-duty status.

Bad Credit Payday Loans

The state laws for accessing payday loans in Ohio makes acquiring cash easy and accessible, as Ohio is one of the few states that allows payday loans (they vary state-to-state; in some states they are banned.) While payday loans are another option for those with bad credit, a note to read what’s involved, as these loans have unique terms in that you usually must pay them back within one to two pay periods/paychecks.

What Products or Services Can a Bad Credit Loan Get You?

Getting a loan from a bank or credit union might be challenging if you have a bad credit score. Securing a loan from traditional lenders might also be tricky, especially if you need access to money now. This is where bad credit loans come in, offering access to the funds you need while offering options to get funds now and pay over time.

You might be wondering: Is a lease the same as a loan?

Leases & loans are quite different – here’s what you need to know:

  • A loan (or personal loan) is generally a lump sum of funds provided on the recipient’s behalf that is paid back over time (and, like most loans, includes interest.)
  • A lease (or lease-to-own option) allows the recipient to possess the leased item for a pre-determined period of time and includes the option to purchase the item outright. It does not include interest but has leasing fees.

 

Bad credit loans might come in handy if you need to pay for a wedding, a vacation, medical bills, renovations at your home, car repair, or any emergency where you may need to be able to access money upfront.

Uses for Bad Credit Loans in Ohio

Paying for home furniture, appliances, televisions, and electronics all up front may be a challenge. This is where alternative financing may come in, since you can potentially pay-over-time, rather than all at once. Also, if you have less-than-stellar credit or no credit history or financial history, obtaining large items like furniture or appliances might be possible with access to alternative loan products.

 

Check out a few uses for bad credit loans below:

 

Product Average Price** Link
Furniture $400 – $10,000 Find a Store*
Mattresses $250 – $3,000 Find a Store*
TVs $300 – $3,500 Find a Store*
Refrigerators $1,000 – $2,500 Find a Store*
Washers and Dryers $300 – $2,000 Find a Store*

 

**Please Note: Payment solutions vary based on the merchant and will be indicated at the beginning of the application process. Be sure to confirm that the merchant you select offers the lease, loan, or alternative payment solution you intend to apply for.

 

**Retail prices may vary based on extras and the type of product you purchase. For example, a TV can have a retail price as low as $300, however, some models may have a retail price upwards of $3,500 or more.

Ohio Bad Credit Loans FAQs

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What Kinds of Loans for Bad Credit Can You Get in Ohio?
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What’s Considered “Bad Credit”?
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Where’s the Best Place to Get a Bad Credit Loan?
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How Can I Apply for a Bad Credit Loan in Ohio?

**Please Note: Payment solutions vary based on the merchant and will be indicated at the beginning of the application process. Be sure to confirm that the merchant you select offers the lease, loan, or alternative payment solution you intend to apply for.

© 2025 American First Finance. All Rights Reserved.

1 Application Terms: Your application, including the amount, cost, and approval, is subject to review and is not guaranteed. Applications are reviewed based on data you provide and one or more of the following: identity verification, bank verification, information from a third-party, a credit reporting agency, and/or prior experience through American First Finance (AFF).

Bank Loan: A consumer installment loan is originated by FinWise Bank, a Utah-chartered bank, Member FDIC and sub-serviced by AFF. The loan may be funded by the bank to the merchant for you to purchase item(s) and/or service(s). In some cases, the loan for returning customers is funded directly to your checking account for personal, family or household use.

Retail Installment Sale Agreement: A retail installment agreement is not a loan. You may enter into a Retail Installment Sale Agreement with a merchant to purchase item(s) and/or service(s). AFF may purchase the Agreement from the Merchant. An example of a retail installment transaction based on a 12-month term with 26 biweekly payments: if you make a purchase of $1,000 and make a $50 down payment with an Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of 169.53%, you will have 25 bi-weekly payments of $74.79 and 1 bi-weekly payment of $75.06. The total amount repayable will be $1,944.81 with full, timely payments over 12 months.

Lease: A lease is not a loan or credit transaction. It has several names: lease, lease-to-own, rent-to-own, or rental-purchase. With a lease, you select the item(s) and AFF purchases the item(s) from a Merchant. You take the item(s) home. AFF retains ownership until you pay for the item(s) plus rental fees. Other fees may be included, such as late, non-sufficient funds, delivery, and optional Liability Damage Waiver fees. As a result, the total amount you pay for leasing an item may be more than double the retail cost. You can cancel your lease at any time without penalty by contacting AFF. An example of a 12-month lease with weekly payments: if you lease a $1,000 item and pay a $50 (plus tax) processing fee, you will have 52 additional weekly rental payments of $46.11 to complete your lease. Your total lease payments will be $2,452.21 with full, timely payments over 12 months.

2 You will save money on interest, finance charges, or leasing fees when you pay the discounted amount during the Early Payoff Discount (EPD) period or by exercising the Early Buyout Option (EBO). You must make payments larger than your regularly scheduled payments by the EPD/EBO expiration date. You will make additional payments through the customer portal or by contacting the customer service team.

3 Decisioning may take additional time and not be same day. Additional information may be required.

4 This loyalty program is offered by FinWise Bank. The program provides loyal customers the opportunity to qualify for a lower rate. A rate reduction is valid on new loans only and cannot be applied to existing loans. The rate reduction is only applicable to customers with a prior loan open for at least 150 days, with all payments posted and cleared on time for the life of the loan, and the loan has been paid in full. Maximum of two (2) rate reductions per customer. Loans are originated by FinWise Bank, a Utah-chartered bank, Member FDIC. Terms and conditions subject to change at any time without prior disclosure or notice.

5 Approval is possible without a credit score, but credit may be checked.

6 Testimonials reflect the real-life experiences of customers who used our products and/or services. Individual results may vary.

To report a problem or complaint with this lender, you may write info@americanfirstfinance.com or call customer service at (855) 721-1188.

American First Finance, LLC – NMLS ID 1757007

© 2025 American First Finance. All Rights Reserved.